Share

UPDATE | Free State crash: Death toll rises to 8, more than 60 injured, after bus and truck collide

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Seven people were killed in a vehicle accident on the N8 in the Free State.
Seven people were killed in a vehicle accident on the N8 in the Free State.
Supplied

The death toll of a crash on the N8, near Botshabelo in the Free State, increased to eight, the Free State police, roads and transport department said on Thursday.

Department spokesperson Hillary Mophethe said the Interstate bus and a Sedaka Logistics truck collided just before 07:00.

"It is alleged the truck driver overtook the bus when he noticed an oncoming vehicle.

"In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, he swayed the truck toward the left lane and crashed into the front right of the bus, resulting in this horrendous accident," she said.

She added that 62 passengers suffered critical to minor injuries.

Mophethe said 22 people were transported to Botshabelo Hospital, nine to Moroka Hospital, and 10 critically and moderately injured people were transported to Pelonomi Hospital.

One person, who was critically injured, was transported to Life Rosepark Hospital.

The MEC, William Bulwane, extended condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured. 

"I wish to urge all road users to please respect the rules of the road and help us curb road crashes and fatalities on our roads. Road safety starts with each one of us. Let us take that responsibility and save lives," Bulwane said.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 1070 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 518 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.76
+1.4%
Rand - Pound
23.43
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.08
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.25
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
924.10
-0.0%
Palladium
959.00
+0.1%
Gold
2,337.68
0.0%
Silver
27.19
-0.0%
Brent Crude
89.50
+0.6%
Top 40
69,358
+1.3%
All Share
75,371
+1.4%
Resource 10
62,363
+0.4%
Industrial 25
103,903
+1.3%
Financial 15
16,161
+2.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE